Head Counselor Jobs
Head Counselor jobs are open across summer camps, youth nonprofits, therapeutic programs, and residential education settings, from entry-level counselor roles to senior program director positions, with specializations in outdoor education, behavioral health support, and academic enrichment. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Head Counselor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Head Counselor jobs
Do you love connecting with people and sharing your passion with others?
Some rewards for joining our team:
- Free YMCA membership - access to all branches!
- Flexible work schedule
- Sweet discounts on child care and summer camp programs
- Planning for your future? Ask us how we do it at the Y- it's awesome!
- 18+ years of age
- 2+ years working with children and teens, in a camp setting is a plus!
- Esports exprience preferred (gaming, knowledge of computers)
- Degree (completed or in progress) in education or a related field preferred
- Safely supervise campers through daily activities including swimming
- Reinforce positive behaviors, teach proper sportsmanship, and bring enthusiasm to every camp day
- Support the lesson plans and camp objectives and ensure a safe environment for all campers
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with members and parents
- Support from an amazing team which includes training you on expectations
- Opportunities to learn and grow
- Being a part of a non-profit organization that works to make the community stronger
- Great members to work with every day!
YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer All Qualified Women, Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, and US Veterans Encouraged to Apply
Compensation: $13-$15
Do you love connecting with people and sharing your passion with others?
Some rewards for joining our team:
- Free YMCA membership - access to all branches!
- Flexible work schedule
- Sweet discounts on child care and summer camp programs
- Planning for your future? Ask us how we do it at the Y- it's awesome!
- 18+ years of age
- 2+ years working with children and teens, in a camp setting is a plus!
- Esports exprience preferred (gaming, knowledge of computers)
- Degree (completed or in progress) in education or a related field preferred
- Safely supervise campers through daily activities including swimming
- Reinforce positive behaviors, teach proper sportsmanship, and bring enthusiasm to every camp day
- Support the lesson plans and camp objectives and ensure a safe environment for all campers
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with members and parents
- Support from an amazing team which includes training you on expectations
- Opportunities to learn and grow
- Being a part of a non-profit organization that works to make the community stronger
- Great members to work with every day!
YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer All Qualified Women, Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, and US Veterans Encouraged to Apply
Compensation: $13-$15
Head Counselor Jobs by Experience Level
See All 10 Head Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Counselor JobsHead Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head counselor jobs.
- Minimum two to three seasons of previous camp or youth program counseling experience
- Current CPR and first aid certification from a recognized provider
- Experience supervising and mentoring junior counselors or program staff
- Strong behavior management skills working with youth in group settings
- Mandatory reporter training or willingness to complete it before start date
- Bachelor's degree in education, recreation, psychology, or a related field preferred
Tips for Your Head Counselor Job Search
Tailor your resume to each setting
Camp programs, therapeutic residentials, and nonprofit youth organizations each want different things. Swap in setting-specific language for each application, emphasizing behavior management for clinical programs and activity programming for traditional camps.
List every relevant certification clearly
First aid, CPR, lifeguarding, and mandatory reporter training are screened before interviews in most hiring pipelines. Put certifications in a dedicated section near the top of your resume so recruiters don't have to hunt for them.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head counselor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight staff supervision numbers concretely
Hiring managers for head counselor roles care how many direct reports you managed and over what length of program. State the team size and program duration in your bullet points rather than using vague language like 'led a team.'
Prepare a scenario answer about conflict resolution
Almost every head counselor interview includes a question about de-escalating a camper or staff conflict under pressure. Prepare two or three real examples that show your decision-making process, not just the outcome.
Negotiate start date and housing details upfront
Residential programs often tie housing to your contract dates. Clarify whether on-site housing is included, when it begins, and what happens if the program extends before you accept any offer in writing.
Head Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head counselors?
The most active employers for head counselors right now are River Crossing YMCA, City of Lenexa, and Green Chimneys, and the most openings are in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to concentrate in organizations running multi-week residential programs for youth.
How many head counselor jobs are remote?
About 0% of head counselor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most roles require on-site presence with youth. Administrative and curriculum development head counselor roles within larger nonprofit networks are the most likely to offer any remote flexibility.
How do you become a head counselor?
Start by completing at least two seasons as a general counselor to build hands-on experience with youth supervision and program delivery. Earn your CPR, first aid, and any activity-specific certifications your target setting requires. Take on a senior counselor or unit leader role to demonstrate supervisory readiness, then apply directly to head counselor openings at programs that match your specialty.
Can you get hired as a head counselor with little experience?
Some smaller day camps and community youth programs do hire candidates with one strong season plus standout leadership skills, particularly if you've volunteered in youth mentorship or coached youth sports. Applying to assistant head counselor roles first is a practical path, since those positions are designed to build you toward the head role within one or two seasons.
What does the head counselor interview process look like?
Most programs start with a phone or video screen focused on your counseling background and your approach to managing staff conflict. A second round typically involves a panel interview with the camp director and a program coordinator, where scenario-based questions about camper safety, emergency protocols, and staff motivation are common. Reference checks covering previous supervisors happen before any offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to head counselor jobs?
You can find and apply to head counselor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience level and program type, then apply directly to each one that matches.
See All 10 Head Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Counselor Jobs